Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Camshaft change? How hard is it?

[GOT-Torque]

Considering a camshaft change while the head is off getting ported. I'm already planning to upgrade the valvesprings, is a camshaft change any easier with the head removed?



Anyone have pics or directions so I can see what is involved.



Thanks...

 

[PC12Driver]

It was easier than expected. I just followed the shop manual and it was very straightforward. I did not replace the tappets (was told I didn't need to with my milage at the time) so that saved most of the headache. But I did buy an extra tappet to use as a "guide" for me to make the dowel rods that are needed to hold the tappets up in the block when you remove the cam. Even feeding the new cam in the block went easier than expected. And the only "soft" bearing that you need to worry about dinging is the one in the front of the block, so you don't have to worry about garfing any others as you wiggle the new cam in place. Getting the head off and all the associated hardware was more difficult than the cam swap.



Get a manual from Geno's and you'll have all the pictures and torque specs you'll need. Plus it makes for a good checklist as you put everything back together.

 

[GOT-Torque]

I guess my real question is... . is it any easier to do the cam swap while the head is off or is it basically the same process with the head on? If it is alot easier with the head off, I might go ahead and do it. Otherwise, I may wait until later to do the cam.



I do have an electronic manual on a cd-rom (haven't used it yet), I'll have to look tonight and see what it says.

 

[zstroken]

A little easier with head off, but that is just because you have more room to remove the pushrods and what not.

 

[lmills]

yeh, the main thing is the dowels to hold the tappets up are easier to get in with the head off. Other than that, isn't really that much difference.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

A little easier with head off, but that is just because you have more room to remove the pushrods and what not.

Just a thought, but I think I would take a butt whippin' before I would put the head for a cam change.



Jim

 

[GOT-Torque]

Anyone have some pics of the process?



Also, can you reuse the stock tappets? I've got 130,000 miles on mine.

 

[zstroken]

Jim, If you want a butt whoopin that is your call, but he has the head off for a port job already.

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Jim, If you want a butt whoopin that is your call, but he has the head off for a port job already.

Wow, I though I was awake then..... my bad.



Jim